Tetons/Yellowstone

Our big trip of the year was camping in the Tetons for 5 days.  Jake and I went to Yellowstone when Zack was a few months old, but we haven't been back since.  We'd never been to the Tetons, so we decided it was time to go.  We had great fun in Tiny.  This is the first time we've ever used Tiny with full hookups (electricity, water, sewer) and it was luxury.  No worrying about running out of water, so we could actually shower.  The best things about a trailer are the showers and the kitchen.  According to me that is.  We were also able to use the microwave and air conditioner.  Like I said, luxury.

This trip was a little different than other camping trips we've done because it involved a lot of driving to other places.  We generally kind of hang out in the campground, but not this time.  When we were in the campground we went on a couple of hikes and did some fishing.  Our campground was right by the beautiful Snake River.  The kids got to try their hand at fly fishing.  Unfortunately for Jake, the fishing so far this year hasn't been awesome because of the high runoff.  He still enjoyed it, but the river was running fast and high so not a lot of luck.  We've also discovered the fun of laser tag while camping.  Its so great.  Jake is not a game person, but this is something even he enjoys.  Probably because he wins every time.

Anyway, we spent two whole days in Yellowstone.  That place is huge with so much to see and do.  You could spend a week there and still not see everything.  We did a lot of driving to everything, but tried to make it a point to stop frequently and see a lot of things.  Such a beautiful place.  By the end it's like, "oh, another geyser/hot spring/waterfall.  Which is ridiculous because they're all amazingly beautiful.  Unfortunately we didn't see any bears, but we saw elk, deer, and bison.

We only spent a day exploring the Tetons, which I'll definitely do more of next time.  We went to Jackson Lake and the kids swam.  That lake is huge and beautiful.  Well, all of the lakes in the Tetons are beautiful with huge mountains towering above you.  Awesome.  Then we went on a hike to some waterfalls at Jenny Lake.  The kids were troopers as we did this at the end of the day so they were already tired.  The hike was over 5 miles, but they made it!  The waterfalls were huge and so pretty.  I think it was worth it but Sage would probably disagree.

We were so busy every day that we ended up eating dinner most days at like 8:30 at night because we got back so late.  We also went through 2 cans of mosquito spray.  Those suckers could pick you up and carry you away.  Another downside of a wet year I guess.  Anyway, enjoy major picture overload.

Oh yeah, can't forget the way the trip ended.  We were 20 minutes from home when all of the sudden our awning was dragging on the road.  We were able to quickly pull over to check it out.  This happened in the middle of a wind and rain storm of course.  Anyway, we had to just rip the awning off because there was no repairing it (no big deal since we never use it).  But that left us with a 15 foot awning that wouldn't fit in the truck or trailer.  So what did amazing Jake do?  He got his sawzall out of the truck box and sawed it in half.  It was the best!  I only wish I'd taken a picture, but I didn't dare due to high emotions.  We were able to get the awning in the trailer and continue on our way.  And we even laughed about it after:)

Snake River right by our campground.  These two are best friends.  I love ite!

Learning to skip rocks

Sage kept wanting to take pictures and be in pictures.  She's not shy

Zack caught a little fish.  He's getting pretty good at fishing

Jake's ready to go

Jackson Lake

Now we're in Yellowstone.  Beautiful

Beautiful little spot we stopped at where the kids practiced fly fishing

These things are huge

Sage would arrange us in our pictures

Elk.  Apparently smaller than what Jake and Zack will be getting

Jenny Lake.  Not a bad view on our hike

This picture does not do these waterfalls justice.  They were huge!

Beautiful Tetons

The Grand Canyon of Yellowstone.  And yes, Sage is giving herself bunny ears

The waterfall we hiked to

Old Faithful

Summer Mode

We are in full summer mode these days, and I have to admit that it's been pretty great.  My kids deserve high fives for how great they've been.  We started day one into our summer routine, and I think that's helped.  Every day they're required to clean rooms, practice, clean their zone, and do some school work before they can play.  It's not so much that its overwhelming, but enough to give them good direction.  As far as play goes, they've been doing pretty well.  I haven't heard very many complaints of boredom.  I've actually been impressed at how good they've been at keeping themselves busy.  Probably because they know they'll feel my wrath if they complain;)

June has been a busy month.  Zack started everything off with a week at his first scout camp.  A whole week!  It was so weird not having him here, and we missed him, but he had a great time.  His scout leader is most excellent and he's with a good group of boys.  He got to swim in water that was freezing cold.  I dare you to ask him about it;)  And he was the only boy who could figure out enough to pass off his wood carving merit badge.  Guess all that work with Jake paid off.  He of course didn't shower once the whole week and couldn't figure out why we thought that was so gross.  I have to say that boys this age are like a whole different species.

Kate started summer break off by getting pneumonia.  Poor girl.  She was pretty sick for a couple of weeks.  We got her feeling better just in time to go to grandma's house for the week for a sewing class.  She is loving sewing and sewing up a storm now at home.  She gets so mad that I'm of no help whatsoever.  My mom would be proud:)  Too bad she's not here to teach Kate.  She would love it.

Sage is busy all day long with one project or another.  I think one of her favorite things to do with friends is organize.  Not sure what her friends think about this, but she sure loves it!  She did a few days at dance camp and is taking tumbling all summer.  She's fully planning on being a famous dancer (she's very specific that she'll be famous, not just a dancer), so she's doing everything she can to make that happen.

In the middle of all of that we've gone to Lagoon a couple of times (the kids love it but I feel like I've been hit by a truck by the time we leave), hiked, biked (we're trying to mountain bike once a week as a family), and of course worked in the yard.  Because summer would not be summer without yard work.

Sage on the carousel at Lagoon

We went for a rid eon the Heber Creeper.  Zack was so excited as usual

We finally got Greg to come up for a mountain bike ride.  We got to hang out with Sofie and Heidi while they road.  I think we got the better deal;)

Sofie is trying to see over the bars

Bridal Veil Falls.  I've never seen the Provo River so fast and high

My new favorite saying:)

Ledgefork Camping

We have officially survived the first week of summer.  It was a good week, yet I keep finding myself thinking, "we're still in the first week?"  We started the summer off on a good note I think. The night the kids got out of school we had neighborhood night games at our house.  Our yard actually works really well for that.  The kids loved it, so I'm sure we'll do it again.  On Monday we went to Lagoon with our neighbors.  The kids love it, the adults try not to die.  We learned things that will help improve our experience later in the summer.  We also jumped right in to our summer routine.  Nothing huge, but the kids have to get their rooms clean, zone done, practicing, and school work done before they can play with friends.  This helps make sure we're still somewhat productive but also leaves us plenty of time for fun.  Mostly, it helps me keep my sanity.

On Thursday afternoon we headed up above Smith and Morehouse to camp.  It was great fun as usual.  I'm learning through the years that the only way to get Jake to stop working is to take him somewhere he can't work (no cell service).  So I've started planning more little trips to help us all get away.  Jake isn't sure how he feels about it, but I'm sure he'll come around.  We were able to relax, play games, fish, and enjoy some delicious s'mores.  Oh yeah, we brought our laser tag guns and those were a great success.  I think we may need to get a couple more.  Anyway, I've decided this summer is going to be amazing.  And I think its definitely started off that way!

Beautiful Smith and Morehouse

Crazy Sage

Fishing fun

First trip on the raft this year